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Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., reacts to President-elect Donald Trump's FBI director pick on 'Your World.' FIRST ON FOX: House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, signaled he is not finished with his oversight of FBI Director Christopher Wray’s handling of the bureau, even after the intelligence official announced he was stepping down. Jordan said Wray’s resignation was "great" news and lambasted his handling of the FBI in comments to Fox News Digital on Wednesday. "I mean, Chris Wray was, you know, investigating moms and dads who show up for school board meetings. He was putting out a memorandum on saying, ‘If you're a pro-life Catholic, you're an extremist.’ The FBI retaliated against whistleblowers who came and gave us that kind of information. We learned yesterday that they were spying on congressional staffers and their metadata. And of course, he raided President Trump's home ," Jordan said. GRASSLEY RIPS WRAY'S ‘FAILED’ LEADERSHIP AT FBI WITH 11 PAGES OF EXAMPLES IN BLISTERING ‘NO CONFIDENCE’ LETTER House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan signaled he is not done with his oversight of FBI Director Christopher Wray (Getty Images) Wray previously denied targeting pro-life activists. He also defended the FBI’s handling of a Department of Justice (DOJ) memo raising alarms about conduct at school board meetings, though he said last year that there was "no compelling nationwide law enforcement justification" for the directive to be issued. Jordan has made no secret of his thoughts on Wray’s leadership, overseeing multiple inquiries by the House Judiciary Committee into his leadership. When asked by Fox News Digital if that oversight will continue, Jordan said, "Oh, yeah." "And there's, we think, reports coming that are going to, you know, shed even more light on what's been going on down line from the from the inspector general," Jordan said. WHO IS KASH PATEL? TRUMP'S PICK TO LEAD FBI HAS LONG HISTORY VOWING TO BUST UP 'DEEP STATE' Trump tapped Kash Patel to succeed Wray (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images) He also praised President-elect Trump’s new nominee to lead the FBI, Kash Patel. Fox News first reported Wray’s intent to resign seven years into his 10-year term earlier on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Trump’s pick to replace him had already been meeting with senators for days ahead of an anticipated confirmation hearing. DONALD TRUMP ON FBI DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER WRAY: ‘HE INVADED MY HOME’ Jordan said Wray's resignation was "great" news (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) "After weeks of careful thought, I’ve decided the right thing for the Bureau is for me to serve until the end of the current Administration in January and then step down. My goal is to keep the focus on our mission — the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day," Wray told FBI colleagues. "In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the Bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Jordan told Fox News Digital he was not surprised at Wray’s decision. "I mean when the president nominates someone to replace you, you’ve got to go, man," Jordan said. Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News. Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
Pete Hegseth meets with Sen. Susan Collins as he pushes to win votes for confirmationWest Texas Intermediate (WTI) Crude Oil prices rallied on Wednesday, jumping around 2.75% and clipping into $70 per barrel after the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a steeper drawdown in US Crude Oil reserves than energy traders anticipated. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has lowered its forecasts for global Crude Oil demand growth, however barrel traders are still banking on growing energy demand from China to sop up the extra. According to the EIA, US Crude Oil Stocks Change for the week ended December 6 fell by 1.425 million barrels, below the forecast -1.1 million and declining further from the previous week’s decline of over 5 million barrels. With US Crude Oil reserve drying up in the pipe, barrel traders found the buy button on the expectation that US processors will be forced to increase the pace of their market buying. reduced its forecasts for global Crude Oil demand growth in the coming year, dragging the Crude Oil consortium’s lofty expectations closer in-line with the more demure forecasts posted by the EIA. OPEC now anticipates that global oil demand will increase by 1.61 million barrels per day in 2024, a reduction from last month's forecast of 1.82 million barrels. Additionally, for 2025, they have revised their growth estimate down to 1.45 million barrels per day from the previous 1.54 million barrels. Crude Oil price forecast Crude Oil prices have been traveling in a rough downside wedge since dipping below $66 per barrel in September. bids, despite finding a technical floor below $68 per barrel, have been unable to decisively pierce above the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), and intraday price action is poised to continue battling the moving average in the near term. Despite barrel prices seemingly held aloft of further downside pressure from a bidding zone just north of the $66 key handle, topside momentum remains limited, and Crude Oil bulls will continue to find themselves short-changed as swing highs continue to grind lower below the 200-day EMA near $73.80. WTI daily chart WTI Oil FAQs WTI Oil is a type of Crude Oil sold on international markets. The WTI stands for West Texas Intermediate, one of three major types including Brent and Dubai Crude. WTI is also referred to as “light” and “sweet” because of its relatively low gravity and sulfur content respectively. It is considered a high quality Oil that is easily refined. It is sourced in the United States and distributed via the Cushing hub, which is considered “The Pipeline Crossroads of the World”. It is a benchmark for the Oil market and WTI price is frequently quoted in the media. Like all assets, supply and demand are the key drivers of WTI Oil price. As such, global growth can be a driver of increased demand and vice versa for weak global growth. Political instability, wars, and sanctions can disrupt supply and impact prices. The decisions of OPEC, a group of major Oil-producing countries, is another key driver of price. The value of the US Dollar influences the price of WTI Crude Oil, since Oil is predominantly traded in US Dollars, thus a weaker US Dollar can make Oil more affordable and vice versa. The weekly Oil inventory reports published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Energy Information Agency (EIA) impact the price of WTI Oil. Changes in inventories reflect fluctuating supply and demand. If the data shows a drop in inventories it can indicate increased demand, pushing up Oil price. Higher inventories can reflect increased supply, pushing down prices. API’s report is published every Tuesday and EIA’s the day after. Their results are usually similar, falling within 1% of each other 75% of the time. The EIA data is considered more reliable, since it is a government agency. OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is a group of 12 Oil-producing nations who collectively decide production quotas for member countries at twice-yearly meetings. Their decisions often impact WTI Oil prices. When OPEC decides to lower quotas, it can tighten supply, pushing up Oil prices. When OPEC increases production, it has the opposite effect. OPEC+ refers to an expanded group that includes ten extra non-OPEC members, the most notable of which is Russia.
President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday tried to defuse panicky liberal fearmongering over him and instead gin up excitement for his sweeping agenda for the country. Throughout the 2024 campaign, liberal foes seized on Trump’s rhetoric to paint him as someone who intended to rip up institutional norms and was hellbent on vengeance. But Trump, in a prerecorded chat with NBC’s “Meet the Press” — his first sit-down broadcast television interview since winning the election — the 78-year-old Republican confronted many of those concerns head-on and seemingly strived to portray himself as a pragmatist. Here are some of the top takeaways from Trump’s interview: Hands-off approach to DOJ and FBI The incoming president signaled that he would largely be deferring to instead of directing Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and loyalist Kash Patel in their potential posts at the helm of the Justice Department and FBI, respectively. Trump was asked if he wanted Bondi to investigate special counsel Smith and the team that had been prosecuting the president-elect for several alleged crimes. “I think he’s very corrupt,” Trump said of Smith. Still, “I want her to do what she wants to do,” Trump said of Bondi and any probes she may undertake. Trump also was asked about the list of 60 so-called “Deep State” actors that Patel has reportedly compiled. The president-elect was asked whether he wanted to see the people investigated. “No,” Trump said — although he left the door open for Patel to do so. “I think he’s going to do what he thinks is right,” Trump said. “If they think that someone was dishonest, or crooked or corrupt politicians, I think he probably has an obligation to do it.” Asked to clarify if he would instruct such an investigation, Trump responded, “No, not at all.” ‘They should go to jail’ One moment from the wide-ranging interview that is sure to fire up critics came when the president-elect suggested that members of the since-defunct House Select Jan. 6 Committee should be jailed. The panel had been probing Trump’s alleged role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riots on Capitol Hill. “For what they did, honestly they should go to jail,” Trump vented about members of the committee. But later, when asked if he would direct his US attorney general and FBI director to go after them,” Trump replied, “No, not at all. “I think they’ll have to look at that. But I’m not going to [ask]. I’m going to focus on drill baby drill,” Trump said, referring to the push for more oil and gas production. The Biden administration is mulling whether to issue blanket pardons for individuals whom Trump may target such as the committee’s members, including former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), according to multiple reports . Dramatic cuts to Social Security are off the table Ever since the GOP’s election victory, Republican lawmakers have expressed renewed energy in taking on the national debt and slashing the government. Trump further fueled this excitement by naming entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as co-heads of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an entity that is not actually a government department. But he ruled out making dramatic cuts to at least one program, Social Security. “We’re not touching Social Security other than we might make it more efficient, but the people are going to get what they get,” Trump said. “And we’re not raising [requirement] ages or any of that stuff.” Won’t fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell early In October, Trump drew unease from market analysts by contending that a president should have some sway over monetary policy and by being noncommittal about whether he’d remove Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell before his term expires. “No, I don’t think so. I don’t see it,” Trump replied when asked about whether he’d boot Powell, whose term ends in May 2026. Trump nominated Powell to helm the Fed in late 2017, and President Biden opted to retain him. In other countries, central banks that aren’t sufficiently separated from the political process often become more susceptible to issues such as inflation. Will stay in NATO if ... Trump also clarified that he intends to keep the US in NATO, provided that the powerful military alliance “pays its bills. “They have to pay their bills. If they pay their bills, absolutely,” Trump replied when asked about remaining in the alliance. “NATO’s taking advantage of us,” he said. “They take advantage of us on trade. ... And on top of that, we defend them. So it’s a double whammy.” NATO members are expected to pony up 2% of their nation’s gross domestic product on defense. In the wake of the Ukraine war, all but eight of the 32-nation bloc meet that obligation, according to data from the Atlantic Council. Trump added that Ukraine “probably should” expect less military assistance from the US under his watch. He revealed that he hasn’t spoken with Russian leader Vladimir Putin “recently.” Backs off threat about prosecuting Biden In August 2023, Trump suggested on Truth Social that he would name a special counsel or special prosecutor to go after President Biden, presumably over the commander-in-chief’s alleged dealings with son Hunter’s supposed influence-peddling. “No, I’m not doing that unless I find something that is reasonable, but that’s not going to be my decision, that’s going to be Pam Bondi’s decision and to a different extent, Kash Patel,” Trump told NBC. “I’m really looking to make our country successful. I’m not looking to go back into the past,” Trump explained. “Retribution will be through success.” Doesn’t think he’ll change on abortion Trump deviated from Republican orthodoxy on abortion in April when he declared that he would not pursue federal restrictions on the controversial procedure. During the NBC interview, Trump suggested he would stick to that, although he gave himself some wiggle room. “I’ll probably stay with exactly what I’ve been saying for the last two years. And the answer is no,” Trump said when asked about such restrictions, including access to abortion pills. “Things change. I think they change. I hate to go on shows like Joe Biden, ‘I’m not going to give my son a pardon,’ ” Trump mused, referring to Biden’s reversal on pardoning his son. “I don’t like putting myself in a position like that. “Things do change. But I don’t think it’s going to change at all.” Protecting “Dreamers,” ending birthright citizenship Trump repeated his call to end so-called birthright citizenship, in which illegal migrants can cross the border and have children on US soil who will automatically become citizens because of the 14th Amendment. But as for “Dreamers,” individuals whose families already brought them illegally into the country at a young age and who have since grown up here, Trump suggested he would work with Democrats to figure it out. “The Dreamers are going to come later, and we have to do something about the Dreamers, because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age, and many of these are middle-aged people now,” Trump said. “I will work with the Democrats on a plan, and [see] if we can come up with a plan. But the Democrats have made it very, very difficult to do anything. Republicans are very open to the Dreamers.” No family separation for migrants — although they could all get the boot together The president-elect also underscored that he was keen on avoiding a repeat of the controversial family separation policy that stoked blowback during his first administration. “I don’t want to be breaking up families,” Trump said. “So the only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back. “We don’t have to separate families,” Trump said. “We’ll send the whole family very humanely back to the country where they came.” Moderator Kristen Welker pressed him about the implications for children who were in the US legally despite their parents being present illegally. “Then the family has a choice: The person that came in illegally can go out or they can all go out together,” he said. Trump said he would prioritize deporting violent illegal immigrants who have committed other crimes. Day One Trump teased that he would pursue a busy Day One agenda jammed-packed with executive orders on a range of issues such as the economy and the border. “I won on groceries. Very simple word, groceries,” Trump reflected on his election victory, referring to the economy. “When you buy apples, when you buy bacon, when you buy eggs, they would double and triple the price over a short period of time,” he said, referring to the previous administration. The president-elect also indicated that he would mull pardons for Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol rioters when he assumes the Oval Office once again. “I’m going to be acting very quickly,” Trump teased. “I’m going to look at everything. We’re going to look at individual cases.”
The rapid evolution of online and phone scams has made fraud more sophisticated and harder to detect. What were once simple schemes have now turned into complex operations capable of deceiving even the most tech-savvy individuals. Origins of Rondesse Rondesse was founded in response to the growing number of scam victims across the United States. The idea took shape after someone close to the founders lost over $300,000 in a cryptocurrency scam, which not only wiped out his savings but also led to severe personal consequences, and discord within his family. This incident highlighted the lack of a comprehensive service that could prevent scams, assist in recovering losses, and support victims in rebuilding their lives. The founders quickly realized that any effective solution must operate within legal frameworks and involve collaboration across multiple disciplines. Cybersecurity experts, digital forensics professionals, private investigators, cryptocurrency analysts, and legal representatives are all critical in addressing the complexities of modern scams. Rondesse was created to bring these diverse experts together, providing an integrated approach to scam prevention and recovery. The name “Rondesse,” derived from "Rondë" meaning “vaulted roof,” reflects the company’s mission to shield and protect its clients. Comprehensive Expertise Rondesse combines expertise from various fields, including law, cybersecurity, digital forensics, accounting, and cryptocurrency analysis. This multidisciplinary approach allows Rondesse to offer a unique service that not only prevents scams but also intercepts them in real-time. The company also focuses on remediation, helping victims recover their losses and regain financial stability. Through services such as its SOS hotline, scam intervention, legal guidance, and personalized support, Rondesse addresses the full spectrum of challenges faced by scam victims. Merle’s Case: A Demonstration of Impact One of Rondesse’s notable cases involves Merle, a widow from Charlotte County, Florida, who lost $1.3 million to scammers posing as representatives from PayPal and Bank of America. After exhausting local resources and being turned away by more than 40 law firms, Merle was referred to Rondesse by the same law enforcement agency she initially approached. This referral underscores Rondesse’s reputation and its collaborative work with various law enforcement agencies. The scammers used spoof emails and social engineering tactics to gain control of Merle’s devices, isolating her from her family and ultimately draining her life savings. Rondesse deployed its global network and worked closely with local investigators and law firms, particularly in India, where the perpetrators operated. Their efforts led to the arrest of key figures, including Vikramjeet Singh and Anchal Mittal, who were part of a global call center scam. In total, the investigation resulted in more than 25 arrests, the freezing of 127 bank accounts, and the recovery of approximately $800,000 in assets. This progress, achieved within months, contrasts with the typically slow pace of international scam investigations. Despite jurisdictional challenges and instances of corruption, Rondesse’s work caught the attention of the Enforcement Directorate, India’s equivalent of the U.S. Department of Justice. This collaboration not only brought the perpetrators to justice but also set a precedent for future cross-border cybercrime investigations. Merle is expected to recover a significant portion of her stolen funds in the coming months. A New Standard in Scam Prevention and Recovery Rondesse’s involvement in Merle’s case highlights its ability to navigate the complexities of international cybercrime while delivering tangible results for victims. The company’s integrated approach and strategic partnerships have established a new benchmark for efficiency in scam prevention and recovery. In addition to its specialized legal services, Rondesse provides critical support to victims, helping them rebuild their lives after financial loss. By offering tailored solutions that address both prevention and remediation, Rondesse plays a vital role in tackling the challenges of the digital age. Victims of online scams can turn to Rondesse for real-time assistance and expert support.Sempra Named Among Newsweek's 'Most Responsible Companies'Elon Musk calls Trudeau 'insufferable' after remark on Kamala Harris defeat OTTAWA — Billionaire Elon Musk called Canada's prime minister an "insufferable tool" on his social media platform today. Musk's comments were in response to Justin Trudeau likening Kamala Harris's defeat in the U.S. Nick Murray, The Canadian Press Dec 11, 2024 2:25 PM Dec 11, 2024 2:50 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responds to a question from the opposition during Question Period, Dec. 11, 2024 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld OTTAWA — Billionaire Elon Musk called Canada's prime minister an "insufferable tool" on his social media platform today. Musk's comments were in response to Justin Trudeau likening Kamala Harris's defeat in the U.S. presidential election to an attack on women's rights and progress. This afternoon, Trudeau met with provincial and territorial premiers to discuss Canada's approach to negotiations with the U.S. Canada is facing a threat of a 25 per cent tariff hike from incoming president Donald Trump, who defeated Harris in the November election. Earlier this week, Trump taunted Trudeau on social media, referring to the prime minister as the governor of what he called the "Great State of Canada." The post was an apparent reference to a joke Trump cracked at his dinner with Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago estate nearly two weeks ago, where the president-elect teased that Canada could join the U.S. as its 51st state. Speaking on Tuesday night at an event hosted by the Equal Voice Foundation — an organization dedicated to improving gender representation in Canadian politics — Trudeau said there are regressive forces fighting against women's progress. "It shouldn't be that way. It wasn't supposed to be that way. We were supposed to be on a steady, if difficult sometimes, march towards progress," Trudeau said, adding he is a proud feminist and will always be an ally. "And yet, just a few weeks ago, the United States voted for a second time to not elect its first woman president. Everywhere, women's rights and women's progress is under attack. Overtly, and subtly." In a post on X on Wednesday, Musk responded to a clip of Trudeau's remarks, saying, "He’s such an insufferable tool. Won't be in power for much longer." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2024. Nick Murray, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More National News MAID cases rose to 15,000 in 2023, but growth of cases halved Dec 11, 2024 3:27 PM Public inquiry called into conduct of Vancouver police in Myles Gray's beating death Dec 11, 2024 2:57 PM Lawyer for Abdelrazik accuses former minister of exiling him through passport denial Dec 11, 2024 2:50 PM Featured Flyer
On a per-share basis, the New York-based company said it had a loss of 2 cents. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were 11 cents per share. The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of seven analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 7 cents per share. The enterprise automation software developer posted revenue of $354.7 million in the period, also beating Street forecasts. Six analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $347.6 million. For the current quarter ending in January, UiPath said it expects revenue in the range of $422 million to $427 million. This story was generated by Automated Insights ( http://automatedinsights.com/ap ) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on PATH at https://www.zacks.com/ap/PATHIreland’s premier has spoken to the Dublin woman who won a civil case against mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor to praise her courage. Taoiseach Simon Harris said he also wanted to tell Nikita Hand, a hair colourist from Drimnagh, that her case had prompted an increase in women coming forward to ask for support. Ms Hand, who accused the sportsman of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, won her claim against him for damages in a civil case at the High Court in the Irish capital on Friday. The total amount of damages awarded to Ms Hand by the jury was 248,603.60 euro (£206,714.31). Mr McGregor said in a post on social media on Friday that he intends to appeal against the decision. That post has since been deleted. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Mr Harris said he told Ms Hand of the support she has from people across Ireland. “I spoke with Nikita today and I wanted to thank her for her incredible bravery and her courage,” he said. “I wanted to make sure that she knew how much solidarity and support there was across this country for her bravery. “I also wanted to make sure she knew of what the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre had said yesterday – that so many other women have now come forward in relation to their own experiences of sexual abuse as a result of Nikita’s bravery.” The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said the case has had a “profound effect” on the people the charity supports, and that over the first 10 days of the High Court case, calls to its national helpline increased by almost 20%. It said that first-time callers increased by 50% compared to the same period last year, and were largely from people who had experienced sexual violence who were distressed and anxious from the details of case and the views people had to it. Mr Harris said: “I wanted to speak with her and I wanted to wish her and her daughter, Freya, all the very best night, and I was very grateful to talk with Nikita today. “Her bravery, her courage, her voice has made a real difference in a country in which we must continue to work to get to zero tolerance when it comes to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. “I don’t want to say too much more, because conscious there could be further legal processes, but I absolutely want to commend Nikita for her bravery, for her courage, for using her voice.” Justice Minister Helen McEntee praised Ms Hand’s bravery and said she had shown “there is light at the end of the tunnel”. She said: “I just want to commend Nikita for her bravery, for her determination and the leadership that she has shown in what has been – I’ve no doubt – a very, very difficult time for her and indeed, for her family. She added: “Because of wonderful people like Nikita, I hope that it shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that there are supports available to people, and that there is justice at the end of the day.” Ms Hand said in a statement outside court on Friday that she hoped her case would remind victims of assault to keep “pushing forward for justice”. Describing the past six years as “a nightmare”, she said: “I want to show (my daughter) Freya and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served.” During the case, Ms Hand said she was “disappointed and upset” when the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided not to prosecute the case after she made a complaint to the Irish police. In a letter to her in August 2020, the DPP said there was “insufficient evidence” and there was not a reasonable prospect of conviction. Ms Hand asked the DPP to review the decision, saying she felt she was being treated differently because one of the suspects was famous. Asked about the DPP’s decision not to prosecute, Mr Harris and Ms McEntee stressed the importance of the DPP’s independence on whether to prosecute. “There are obviously structures in place where the DPP can meet a victim and can outline to them their reasons for not taking the case,” Mr Harris said. “But there’s also always an opportunity for the DPP in any situation – and I speak broadly in relation to this – to review a decision, to consider any new information that may come to light, and I don’t want to say anything that may ever cut across the ongoing work of the DPP.” Ms McEntee stressed that there should “never be any political interference” in the independence of the DPP’s decisions. “I have, since becoming minister, given priority to and enabled a new office within the DPP to open specifically focused on sexual offences, so that this issue can be given the focus and the priority that it needs,” she said.
A major health insurance provider is backtracking on plans to cap anesthesia coverage for patients in at least one state. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield announced last month that starting in 2025 it would stop covering anesthesia during patient surgeries in Connecticut, Missouri and New York if the procedure exceeds a certain time limit. The change was slated to take effect starting Feb. 1, 2025. RELATED STORY | Doctors perform kidney transplant on awake patient, who is out of hospital in 1 day However, Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon said Thursday that Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is scrapping the proposal in his state following widespread backlash over the policy change. "After hearing from the people across the state about this concerning policy, my office reached out to Anthem, and I'm pleased to share this policy will no longer be going into effect here in Connecticut," Scanlon said in a statement. While the health insurance provider announced the policy change in November, it gained renewed attention following the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was fatally shot Wednesday in what is being described as a targeted attack outside a New York City hotel. The incident sparked widespread criticism of the U.S. health care system. RELATED STORY | Manhunt intensifies following 'targeted' killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Anthem said people under the age of 22 and those who are receiving maternity-related care are exempt from the change in anesthesia coverage. The company also said people who disagree with claim reimbursement decisions can dispute claim denials. "If you disagree with a claim reimbursement decision, please follow the claim dispute process as outlined in the provider manual," Anthem said in the announcement. "Documentation to support your request will be required." While Anthem has already reversed plans to limit anesthesia coverage for patients in Connecticut, it remains unclear whether the company will do the same for patients in Missouri and New York.Gun found on suspect in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO matches shell casings at scene, police say ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — New York City’s police commissioner says the gun found on the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO matches shell casings found at the crime scene. Commissioner Jessica Tisch also said Wednesday that lab results matched suspect Luigi Mangione’s prints to a water bottle and a snack bar wrapper found near the scene of the killing. Police had said earlier that they believed the gunman bought the items at a nearby coffee shop while awaiting his target. Mangione is jailed in Pennsylvania on weapon and forgery charges, but he also has been charged in New York with murder in Brian Thompson's death. His lawyer has noted that Mangione is presumed innocent. Authorities are scrutinizing evidence and the suspect’s experiences with the health care industry. Arguments over whether Luigi Mangione is a 'hero' offer a glimpse into an unusual American moment Memes and online posts in support of 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, who's charged with killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO, have mushroomed online. Some cast Mangione as a hero. That's too far, says Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a rising Democrat who was almost the Democratic vice presidential nominee this year. CEO Brian Thompson's death touched off off these ripples. They offer a glimpse into how so many different aspects of 21st-century life can be surreally connected, from public violence to politics, from health care to humor, or attempts at it. The Trump and Biden teams insist they're working hand in glove on foreign crises WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump doesn’t think much of Joe Biden’s foreign policy record. He frequently casts the outgoing Democratic president as a feckless leader who shredded American credibility around the world during his four-year term. But the Trump and Biden national security teams have come to an understanding that they have no choice but to work together as conflicts in Gaza, Syria and Ukraine have left a significant swath of the world on a knife’s edge. It’s fuzzy how much common ground Biden and Trump’s teams have found as they navigate crises that threaten to cause more global upheaval as Trump prepares to settle back into the White House. FBI Director Wray says he intends to resign at the end of Biden's term in January WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Christopher Wray says he plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden’s term in January. The announcement Wednesday comes a week and a half after President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate loyalist Kash Patel for the position. At a town hall meeting with bureau workers, Wray said he would be stepping down “after weeks of careful thought.” Wray had previously been named by Trump and began the 10-year term. a length meant to insulate the agency from the political influence of changing administrations — in 2017, after Trump fired then-FBI Director, James Comey. Syrians flock to morgues looking for loved ones who perished in Assad's prisons DAMASCUS (AP) — Many bodies have been found in Syrian detention centers and prisons since President Bashar al-Assad's government fell. Now Syrians around the world are circulating images of the corpses in hopes that they will see slain loved ones whose fate had been a mystery. At the morgue visited by The Associated Press on Wednesday in Damascus, families flocked to a wall where some of the pictures were pinned in a haunting gallery of the dead. Relatives desperately scanned the images for a recognizable face. Some of the prisoners died just weeks ago. Others perished months earlier. US warns Russia may be ready to use new lethal missile against Ukraine again in 'coming days' WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says Russia could launch its lethal new intermediate-range ballistic missile against Ukraine again soon. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh cited a U.S. intelligence assessment in telling reporters on Wednesday that an attack could come “in the coming days.” She says the U.S. does not consider the Oreshnik missile a game changer on the battlefield. But that Russia is using the weapon to intimidate Ukraine as both sides wrestle for an advantage that will give them leverage in any negotiations to end the war. The Russian Defense Ministry also is warning it may retaliate against Kyiv for an attack on a military base in the Rostov region in southern Russia on Wednesday. Israeli strikes on Gaza kill at least 33 including children, Palestinian medics say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian medical officials say Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip have killed at least 33 people. One of the strikes hit a home where displaced people were sheltering in the isolated north, killing 19. A separate strike outside nearby Kamal Adwan Hospital killed a woman and her two children, and another strike in central Gaza killed at least seven people. Israel's military says it tries to avoid harming civilians and accuses militants of hiding among them, putting their lives in danger. Local health officials say Israel’s retaliatory offensive after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023 has killed over 44,000 Palestinians in Gaza. Hannah Kobayashi, missing Hawaii woman whose disappearance prompted a massive search, is found safe LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hannah Kobayashi has been found safe. That’s according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Kobayashi vanished last month in Los Angeles. The missing Hawaii woman's disappearance prompted a massive search and a missing persons investigation. It was not immediately clear where she was found, but police previously said she had voluntarily crossed the border into Mexico. The LAPD said Wednesday the department will wrap up its investigation. Kobayashi's family reported her missing to law enforcement on Nov. 11 after relatives received “strange and cryptic, just alarming” text messages. Kobayashi’s mother and sister said they are “grateful” she has been found safe. Wisconsin kayaker who faked his death and fled the country is charged after returning to US GREEN LAKE, Wis. (AP) — Authorities say a Wisconsin man who faked his own drowning and left his wife and three children for Eastern Europe has willingly returned to the U.S. Ryan Borgwardt is charged with obstruction, a misdemeanor. A not-guilty plea was entered by a judge Wednesday, a day after Borgwardt's return. The judge also set bond at $500 for the obstruction charge, though Borgwardt only has to pay if he violates the conditions of his release. Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll says Borgwardt “came back on his own” because of his family. Investigators say the 45-year-old was living in the country of Georgia. Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup. But when exactly? ZURICH (AP) — Saudi Arabia scored a major win in its campaign to attract major sports events to the kingdom when it was formally appointed as the 2034 World Cup host on Wednesday. Still, many questions remain about the tournament. Key issues include during which part of the year to stage the tournament, where to play the games, whether alcohol will be allowed at all and how to protect workers rights in the massive construction projects required to host the World Cup.
Put politics aside and act on online harms, mother of sextortion victim tells MPsThe Memphis Grizzlies are learning the benefits of giving this season. When Memphis hosts the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, the Grizzlies will be seeking their sixth consecutive win and their 10th in their past 13 games. Their November success has been the result of an unselfish, team-oriented approach. The Grizzlies enter Saturday leading the NBA with 30.4 assists per game. Memphis dished out 36 assists on 47 made baskets in Friday's 120-109 home victory over New Orleans. "The ball movement (was) great," Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. "I think we had nine or 10 guys with two or more assists -- or 10 out of 11 guys (with) an assist, which is great." Ja Morant, who missed Wednesday's home win against Detroit due to a bruised knee, led the Grizzlies with seven assists against New Orleans, and Marcus Smart had six off the bench. Despite being limited to 10 games this season, Morant leads the team with 9.1 assists per game, followed by Scotty Pippen Jr. (5.7) and Smart (4.1). "When the ball's moving, it's about getting everyone involved," Pippen said. "It makes it a lot of fun to play with everyone. So, I feel like that's (when we are) the most dangerous, when everyone's touching the ball and everyone feels aggressive." Friday's win marked Memphis' first NBA Cup victory in the second year of the event. The Grizzlies had lost their first seven games of NBA Cup group play. As for Indiana, the Pacers were eliminated from contention for the NBA Cup knockout round with their 130-106 home loss Friday to Detroit. Indiana is 0-3 in Cup play. The Pacers had won three straight games -- all at home -- before being overpowered by the Pistons. Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton led Indiana with 21 and 19 points, respectively. While the Pacers have struggled during the first two months of the season, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said several of his younger players have shown signs of contributing at a significant level, including second-year forward Jarace Walker. Walker, 21, finished with 10 points and notched five of the team's nine steals off the bench on Friday. Additionally, third-year guard Bennedict Mathurin, 22, has excelled in a starting role and is averaging 17.7 points per game, while Quenton Jackson, 26, has averaged 10.3 points in his past three games. "(Walker) went in there (Friday against Detroit) and decisively stepped into shot and he was physical," Carlisle said. "Right now is a time for guys like Jarace and Q (Jackson) and Ben (Mathurin) to experience what it's like to have this kind of responsibility and respond as best they can." Mathurin is second on the team in scoring behind Siakam (19.9 points per game), while Haliburton's 16.6 scoring average ranks third. Sunday's game is the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams. Indiana and Memphis split last season's two meetings, with each squad winning at home. --Field Level Media
Transcontinental Inc. Announces Results for the Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024
Andy Murray has made the shock decision to coach his long-time rival Novak Djokovic during the Australian Open. Murray – who retired after the summer Olympics at the age of 37 after finally admitting defeat in his battle against his body – will join the Serbian’s team in the off-season and coach him through the opening grand slam of 2025. It will see the Scot surprisingly join forces with the man who was his biggest nemesis during his long career, especially in Australia where he lost to Djokovic in four finals. Murray, who beat Djokovic to win the US Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2013, says he wants to help the 24-time grand slam champion achieve his goals. He never liked retirement anyway. 🙌 — Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) “I’m going to be joining Novak’s team in the off-season, helping him to prepare for the Australian Open, he said. “I’m really excited for it and looking forward to spending time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change, helping him to achieve his goals.” Djokovic, a week younger than his new coach, added: “I am excited to have one of my greatest rivals on the same side of the net, as my coach. “Looking forward to start of the season and competing in Australia alongside Andy with whom I have shared many exceptional moments on the Australian soil.” In posting a teaser about the appointment on social media, Djokovic said: “He never liked retirement anyway.” He then added: “We played each other since we were boys, 25 years of pushing each other to our limits. We had some of the most epic battles in in our sport. They called us gamechangers, risk takers, history makers. “I thought our story may be over. Turns out it has one final chapter. It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner. Welcome aboard coach, Andy Murray.” Djokovic beat Murray in the 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016 Australian Open finals while also losing in the French Open final in 2016. It was his pursuit of toppling Djokovic at the top of the rankings in 2016 which was a precursor to his 2017 hip injury which derailed Murray’s career. Djokovic, who split with coach Goran Ivanisevic earlier this year, hopes that adding Murray to his team will help him get back to the top of the game as he went through a calendar year without winning a grand slam for the first time since 2017. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have developed a stranglehold at the top of the men’s game and Djokovic, who has seen Murray, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal all retire in recent years, is still hoping to move clear of the record 24 grand slams he shares with Margaret Court.Households could face double-digit council tax hikes to fund services when current freeze on bills ends in spring Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport By TOM GORDON DEPUTY SCOTTISH POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 22:50, 8 December 2024 | Updated: 22:50, 8 December 2024 e-mail 1 View comments Families face costly tax rises after the finance chief for Scots councils refused to rule out double-digit increases when the current freeze ends this spring. Katie Hagmann, resources spokeswoman for council umbrella body Cosla, said ‘difficult decisions’ lay ahead, with hikes needed to keep services running. SNP Finance Secretary Shona Robison last week said there was ‘no reason’ for big tax rises after she raised council funding by £1billion to £15billion in her 2025-26 budget. But Cllr Hagmann said the real terms increase was barely half what councils asked for, as authorities needed to make up for years and years of cuts. In comments that raise the prospect of costly increases, she told BBC Scotland’s Sunday Show that more money than councils got in the Budget was required. She said: ‘It’s fair to say that there’s still going to be difficult decisions that some councils are going to have to make. ‘We asked for an increase of 5 per cent and we have had a real terms increase. However, it’s only 2.6 per cent. So while this is really welcome news, we’re not out of the woods yet.’ The SNP has frozen or capped council tax in all but two of its 17 years in office. When councils had free rein in 2022-23 and 2023-24, the average rises were 3 and 5 per cent. Finance minister Shona Robison delivering the Scottish budget on Wednesday Former first minister Humza Yousaf froze it again this year, but next year councils can set what they like again. Last week, Perth and Kinross Council approved provisional plans for a rise of 10 per cent on bills next year - then 10 per cent and 6 per cent in the years after that. Shetlands Islands Council is also consulting on a hike of up to 10 per cent next year, while Aberdeenshire has asked residents about a possible 20 per cent rise. Cosla, which represents Scotland’s 32 local authorities, recently said local government was close to a ‘tipping point’ because of stretched resources. It has demanded a £694million, or 5 per cent, increase in revenue funding to £14.5billion in 2025-26 and a £163million, or 23 per cent rise, in capital funding to £872million, to adjust for soaring inflation since 2020. Cllr Hagmann, an SNP member of Dumfries & Galloway Council, went on: ‘We do have concerns, and we would like additional funding for delivery of health and social care.’ Inadequate funding meant cuts, she said, or ‘council tax is one lever that we can use to safeguard services - council tax increases could be used to fund services locally’. Pressed on whether double-digit rises were realistic, she did not deny it. She said: ‘This is the first time that we’ve had a real terms increase for a number of years. There’s been significant cuts throughout the previous years. Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport Advertisement ‘That will be down to local councils. Our ask had been heard by Scottish Government for no council tax freeze and no cap. It’s not going to be easy. But the very last thing we want to do is to add the pressures onto families, onto our communities, who may already be struggling.’ She said Scotland’s 32 councils would have a better idea of what they faced when they got their individual funding figures later this week. Meanwhile, Russell Findlay told the programme Scotland’s benefits bill - set to rise from £6.9 billion to £8.8 billion by 2030 and already running £1.3 billion ahead of Treasury funding - was ‘unsustainable’. The Scottish Tory leader said: ‘We can’t continue to increase benefits and increase taxes. The entire benefits bill needs to be looked at.’ Citing the budget decision to restore free bus travel for asylum seekers for £2million, he said: ‘That money would pay for the winter fuel payment for 6,000 Scottish pensioners who are in desperate need of it - that’s a much better way of spending that money. ‘This ever increasing benefits bill is unsustainable. It’s unaffordable. It lacks basic common sense. It can’t continue down this path.’ Ms Robison said some devolved benefits helped children out of poverty, benefitting society and reducing demand for public services down the line. She denied the Scottish public sector was ‘bloated’ but added: ‘Does it need to be more efficient and productive? Does it need to change and reform? Yes.’ Humza Yousaf Scotland Taxes SNP Share or comment on this article: Households could face double-digit council tax hikes to fund services when current freeze on bills ends in spring e-mail Add commentFAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — Woody Newton had 26 points in George Mason's 100-55 win against Ferrum on Saturday. Newton also added six rebounds for the Patriots (4-3). Brayden O'Connor added 14 points while shooting 6 for 7, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc while they also had five assists. K.D. Johnson shot 4 for 8 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 4 of 7 from the free-throw line to finish with 13 points, while adding seven rebounds. Alfredo Abel-Rivera led the way for the Panthers with 15 points and seven rebounds. Bryant Wall added 13 points for Ferrum. Sterling Charles also had six points and two steals. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
